Condor Orders 16 Airbus A330-900neo Aircraft
Germany’s leisure airline Condor has ordered 16 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft, the company reported today. The news comes one day after the European Union approved Germany’s state aid for Condor, worth just over €525 million. Let’s investigate further.
What about Condor’s new fleet?
Condor will become Germany’s Airbus A330neo launch customer, the carrier said in a statement. Airbus and Condor did not disclose the details of the contracts.
On Tuesday, the European Commission announced that Germany’s state aid of US$619 million to Condor is in line with the bloc’s regulations, despite Ryanair’s legal battle.
Starting in autumn 2022, Condor will receive its 16 new A330-900neo aircraft and will have taken 100% delivery of the order by mid-2024.
The German leisure carrier will use these new planes to replace its aging long-haul fleet. Condor currently has 15 Boeing 767-300ERs, according to ch-aviation’s database. Of these 15 aircraft, 13 are active, and they have an average age of 25.8 years, so they’re definitely set for a change. Condor knows about that. Ralf Teckentrup, the airline’s CEO, said,
“We are introducing the two-liter aircraft into our operations and will be setting new standards: with our modern long-haul fleet, we will inseparably combine sustainability and holidays with Condor in the future.”
The A330-900neo, the future of Condor
The A330-900 is the upper version of the A330neo family, composed of the -800 and the -900. It is also the most successful one. According to Airbus, the A330-800 has had 15 orders, while the -900 had 316 until June 30, 2021. Between both models, there are 63 A330neo planes in active fleets at the moment.
Airbus designed the A330neo with special aerodynamics through improved wing design. It is also equipped with state-of-the-art engines from Rolls-Royce. The Trent 7000 engines are capable of operating on Sustainable Aviation Fuels.
Moreover, the new A330 is the first aircraft in the world certified for the regulatory reduction in CO2 emissions. This rule will apply to start in 2028.
Additionally, this aircraft family has the quietest cabin in the world for an airplane of this size, added Teckentrup. Condor’s customers can expect “the highest level of comfort in a brand new business, premium economy and economy class,” he said.
What’s going on with Condor lately?
Last year, Condor’s purchase deal with LOT Polish fell through. This put Condor’s future at risk, but since it has found new life.
The investment firm Attestor purchased 51% of the carrier and promised US$550 million in funding. This new deal was set to allow Conor to pay its debts and renew its fleet.
From an operational point of view, the airline is coming back from the COVID-19 crisis. According to Cirium’s database, Condor will offer 3,815 flights in August, with 867,403 seats available. That’s a 13.2% and 16.1% decrease compared to August 2019.
The carrier will have 490 flights using its Boeing 767-300 fleet. This aircraft’s main route is between Palma de Mallorca (Spain) and Düsseldorf (Germany).
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